Easel back



Nov. 23, .1948.. i v G, E, NICHOLS 2,454,521

' BASEL BACK v l Filed March 9, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 i and'leg.

Patented Nov. 2.3, 1948 UNITED STATES P'TENTWOFFICE "-EASEL BACK v AGordon E; Nichols,.Middleboro, Mass.,asls`ignor to Winthrop-Atkins, Co.,` `Inc.',`,fM,ddlbofiof, Mass., a

"" corp'eration,oftMassachusetts --Application-Marcl 9, 1946,JScralfN65-338 y isclaima (cigale-*35) This inventionpertainsytoioldable eas'els such as are used as mounts for photographsalendars,

etc., and relates mioreespecially;tc,an1improved back for such an easel.

Customarily, an easel of this type comprises a back of stiff sheet' material such as cardboard, to whose forward face l.the frame elements or other parts designed to hold and protect 4the photograph orl calendar are secured. A` leg is hinged to the back to hold the latter in thedesired upright position of use, and there is usually avbrace designed to'connect the back and leg at a substantial distance fromthe hinge axis of the leg, so as to-hold the leg and back in the desired downwardly divergent position of use..v

The brace shouldholdthe leg rmly wheniin use, but should be easily releasable to permit the eaSeLincluding the leg and brace, to` be folded flat when desired. `Insome of the priorvdevices of this kind the proper disposition oi the leg and.l

Moreover,` in some of the prior devices itis hard,

to tell whether or-not the brace hasactually been positioned-properly, and in consequencer the easel sometimes falls down, even'thoughnthe use!` belleves that he has` properly adjusted-thebrace The present invention has for one the provision of an improved easel back provided with a leg and brace,` and so designed that the mere operation of swinging `the legto the divergent position of use automatically setsV the brace.

in the operative position. i A further Vobject is `to provide an easel lback provided withl a lleg and brace, and so ldevisedthat `when thev leg and brace aremoved to the positionof-usda-distinct snap is felt and/or heard when the .parts nally assume the proper relative position. A further4 object is to providea device of this type wherein the brace may readily'bel disengaged from the leg` preparatory to folding the easel.` 1 A further object is to provide a device of this kind in which Fig. 1 is akplan'viewofa blank employed inr making the easel back oiythe presentinvention;

Fig. 2 is a frentelevation,v showing the blank g folded to `form` the back;

Fig-.z3 is ay rear elevation.ofpthelfolded back; Eiga lis avnersnective view. looking @Ward v.the rrear side rof.theeaselbackand showing the 4parts in` `the positions Which, they occupy While the easel is beingsetup; and

, Eig5.is,a view similar to Fig., ibut showing .theepartsin `theiri1-nlaloperative position `of use. Y .;,Referring tothe drawingathe blank illustrated in iilig. lgconsists.ofiallnilaly- Perof Sheet material, for-.example cardboard, of therequisite stiffness to furnishfthe proper support, this material having a substantial ,degree of natural `.resiliency .so thatifw4 bent it. tends to return to its original Aflat eonditioI-i. This -blankcornprises the part `I yhereinafteri referred 4to, `as the front or panel portion,offpthef.easel lback, and the part 2 hereinafterreflerred.to as; the; leg. ,The parts I uand .f2 are-,integrally j *oin'ed ,along the horizontal line- 3 vwherethe lmaterial isqindented, scored or perforated to provide a hingegjoint about which the parts I `and 2 may befolded into substantially .lparalleln'face-tQ- face relation. `While in the preferred,.constructionthe parts `vI and 2` are integ- .rallyjoined itiswithin `the scope ofthe inven- 254 Ation-tvo make, the panelandglegof separate pieces pf ,materialLandto unirtey them along the line 3 ltoiprrnV a, hinge joint in :any: suitablej and convenient mannen, The. edges 4 and 5 `of the parts Ii and `2` .respectivelylare p those vedges upon off its objects A'which theeaselback stands `when in use.

panel.- memberl `is providedT with a large central aperture `I. into. `which* projects the brace member` 'I.` A `This brace Vvmember is `integral with the panel Ilfandfunited to the latteralong the line 8,here` sghowniasslightly curved, and which may bedened by. a light scoring or indentation, if desired. .,Howeventhe brace l should not swing ,freely .aboutthe `line 8 as a hinge,` since` it is desirable. in' accordance; with `the present inven- .tionQ that the bracejpossess a substantial resilient tendency to remains in the plane of the f.panel I, and.to returny to saidplane when bent .abouttheline 8.v v,F.Fhistendency is accentuated by therufse of the curved hinge line. Asillustrated, vthe-rbracerl-'I Visfree, :from 4thepanel talong the 'lines'. 9 and. I0. The y brace .'I .is provided` with a centrallyrf=disposedmore or less 'l-shapedfslot i comprising the .vertically elongatek guide portion l II having they parallel A.edges E, the slot havingthe transverserV orfv cross-bar C portion I 2 substantially 1Widerthan ;the guide portionl I: The edges E of `the'guide portion v,It-intersect inclined edges I3 .oi the transverse, partgl 2 -i off the.. slot, .this transverse portion-.or recess I2 having the curved edge .,Mwhichgntersects theredges .Ilatthe points l5,

the recess thus being of somewhat lenticular shape and widest between the points I5.

The leg 2 is provided with a central aperture I 6 having the upper edge I'I from which a tongue projects downwardly into the recess I6. This tongue is integral with the leg 2 and comprises a ba-se portion I8 of a width approximating the width of the aforesaid recess I2 between the points I5. The tongue also comprises a central tab I9, here .shown as of substantially semicircular contour, and of a width substantially equaling the width of the guide portion II cfV the slot in the brace l. The lower edge of the base portion I3 of the tongue is shaped to provide substantially horizontal abrupt shoulders' at 2li.

Having provided the blank asabove described, and as shown in Fig. 1, this blank is folded along the hinge line 3 and the brace 1 is projected through the aperture I6 so that the parts assume the positions shown in Figs. 2 and 3, withthe panel I and leg 2 in substantial contact and the i'ree or upper end portion of the brace 'I in substantial contact with the rear surface of the leg 2. In projecting the brace l through the aperture I6, it is necessary to bend the brace about the line 8 and when the brace is released its tendency to return to the plane of the panel I is such that it exerts a resilient force against the rear face vof the leg 2, such as to tend to hold the leg in contact with the panel I, thus holding the back in folded condition.

It is to be understood that the panel portion I forms the front element of the easel back and that to the forward surface of this panel I there may be secured such other parts as may be desired in the construction of the completed easel. However, since these parts are not concerned in the present invention, no attempt has been made to illustrate them here.

Assuming that the easel has been completedy by mounting on the front face of the panel I the requisite elements, and that it is desired to set up the easel for use (it now being in the condition shown in Fig. 3), the user merely grasps the lower part of the leg 2 and swings it rearwardly about the hinge line 3, relatively to the panel I (Fig. ll) As soon as force is applied to swing the leg 2 rearwardly into divergent relation to the panel I, the shoulders 2i) of the tongue portion of the leg start to bear against the marginal portions oi the brace 'l adjoining the edges E of the slot I I. These shoulders exert a camming action as the leg is gradually swung rearwardly, thus pressing the brace downwardly toward horizontal position. This intermediate position of the parts is illustrated in Fig. 4. This movement continues until the shoulders 2U of the tongue reach the junction of the edges E of the slot II with the inclined edges d'3 of the recess I2. As soon as the shoulders reach these edges I3, a mutual camming action takes place, which causes the shoulders to move quickly into the widest part of the recess I2, thus releasing the brace and permitting it, in response to its natural resilience, to snap quickly upward until its upper surface contacts the edge Il of the aperture I6.

The vertical depth of the base portion I8 of the tongue, is preferably of the order of 1A inch or thereabouts, and thu-s as the brace is released from the shoulders 20, it suddenly moves through this distance with the result that it strikes the edge I'I a sharp blow, causing a distinct snapping sound which thus apprises the user` of the fact that the parts have reached theirnalfoperative 4 or interlocked position. When in this operative position, the base of the tongue is disposed at the widest part of the recess I2, and by reason of the shape of this recess the leg cannot move in either direction lengthwise of the brace, so long as the tongue remains in this part of the slot. When in this position (Fig. 5) the free or rear end portion of the brace is exposed atthe rear part of the leg, and by merely pressing down upon this exposed portion of the brace the brace may be disengaged from the base part of the tongue, thu-s permitting the leg to be swung back to its folded position.

The back member thus provided is of very simple construction, but very easy to operate both Aas respects setting it up for use and in returning it to folded position. Moreover, as already noted, when, in setting it up, it reaches the operative position, the snapping of the parts, as they interlock, gives notice that the parts have been set up properly and when thus set up the interlocking of the tongue with the recess I2 holds the parts rigidly in position so that the leg can move in neither direction until the tongue is purposely disengaged from the recess.

While one desirable embodiment of the invention has been illustrated by way of example, it is to be understood that the invention is broadly inclusive of such modications as fall within the vscope' of the appended claims.

I claim:

l. A foldable easel back comprising a stiff panel having a leg and a brace connected thereto, the leg and brace having complemental interlocking parts operative when engaged to hold the leg in downwardly divergent position of use relatively to the panel, the lower end of the brace being so united to the panel that the brace tends to lie in the plane of the panel, the connection between the leg and panel comprising hinged means permitting the leg to swing outwardly from the panel, said leg having an aperture through which the brace projects, the tendency of the brace to lie in the plane of the panel being effective normally to keep the leg folded.

2. A foldable easel back comprising a stii panel havinga leg and a brace connected thereto, the leg and brace having complementa] interlocking parts operative when engaged to hold the leg in downwardly divergent position of use relatively to the panel, the lower endof the brace being so united to the panel that the brace tends to lie in the plane of the panel, the leg being hinged at its upper end to the panel and having an aperture through which the brace projects, the leg having a downwardly directed locking tongue at the upper edge of its aperture, and the brace having an elongate guiding slot which receives said tongue while the leg is being moved to operative position.

3. A foldable easel back comprising a stiff panel having a leg and a brace connected thereto, the leg and brace having complemental interlocking parts operative when engaged to hold the leg in downwardly divergent position of use relatively to the panel, the lower end of the brace being .united to the panel, the leg being hinged at its upperV end to the panel and having an aperture through which the brace projects, the leg having a downwardly directed tongue at the upper edge of its aperture, the tongue comprising a base portion 4and a relatively narrow central tab,'and having abrupt shoulders where the tab emerges from the base portion, the'brace having an elongate guide slot of a widthto accommodate said parts operative whenengaged-tofholdithe leg in t downwardlyv divergent position of `'use relatively to the panel, the lowerend of the brace being.`

united tothe panel, the leg being hinged at its upper end to thepanel and having an aperture through which the brace projects, the leg having a downwardly directed tongue at the upper edge of its aperture, the tongue comprising a base portion and a relatively narrow central ktab projecting from the lower endotthe base portion, the tongue having substantially horizontal shoulders where the tab prot-rudes from the base, the brace having a substantially' T'shaped slot corn-1 prising an elongate guide "portion havingiparallel edges andof a'width just" suiiicient to"faccom modate said tab with a free sliding fit, the ledge of the guide portionY merging with upwardly divergent edgesdeiining the bottom of the crossbar of the T-slot, the maximum width of said crossbar portion of the slot being sufficient to accommodate the base of the tongue.

5. A foldable easel back comprising a stiff panel having a leg and a brace connected thereto, the leg and brace having complemental interlocking parts operative when engaged to hold the leg in downwardly divergent position oi use relatively to the panel, the lower end of the 4brace being so united to the panel that the brace tends to lie in the plane of the panel, the leg being hinged at its upper end to the panel and having an aperture through which the brace projects, the leg having a downwardly directed tongue at the upper edge of its aperture, the tongue comprising a base portion and a relatively narrow central tab, and having shoulders where the tab emerges from the base portion, the brace having an elongate guide slot to receive said tab, the slot terminating in a transverse recess of awidth to receive the base portion of the tongue, the height of the base portion, between the upper edge of the aperture in the leg and said shoulders, being such that, as the shoulders disengage the margin of the guide slot the base portion of the tongue snaps with substantial force against the upper edge of the aperture in the leg.

6. A foldable easel back comprising a panel, a leg and a brace, the leg being hinged at its upper end to the panel and having an aperture intermediate its ends, the upper edge of the aperture being substantially horizontal, the brace being connected at its forward end to the panel and always projecting through the aperture in the leg, the brace having a transversely extending recess near its rear end, and the leg having a tongue which i'lts into said recess and thereby prevents movement of the leg lengthwise of the brace when the device is in use.

7. A foldable easel back comprising a panel, a leg and a brace, the leg being hinged at its upper end to the panel and having an aperture intermediate its ends, the upper edge vof the aperture being substantially horizontal, the brace being connected Vat its forward end to the panel and always projecting through the aperture in the leg, the brace having a substantially lenticular transversely extending recess near its rear end and the leg having a tongue projecting from the upper edge of itsaperture and of a width approximating the maximum width of said recessand` which, when .f seated :in the recess, preventscmovementx of the legi lengthwise .of the brace. A a

` u8. A `foldable easel baokcomprisingta stili panel of `sheetfmaterialfand `a leg anda brace each integrali4 withthe panel, the .upper end of the legbeinghinged tothe panel so as to swing freely, and. thelforwardf end` of the brace 4being 4hinged tothe panelata` substantial distance from the hingeqaxis `of the leg, the .hinge connection of the brace *to the panel` beingrsuch that the brace resilientlyfresists .force applied for swinging it out of the plane'` of the panel, the leg having an aperture througnwhich the brace protrudes, the bracefwtendingto `liein the plane of the panel andhaving,portionsengaging the leg in its folded positionA to hold it folded.

@9.A11fo1dable easel back `comprising 4a panel of stift sheet material having an aperture in its midportion, a braceintegrally joined to the panel at the lower `edgeof said aperture,a.leg. hinged at'its upper .end to the upper edge of the panel, the 'leghaving al central aperture with a stiff locking tongue projecting down .into the lcentral aperture from the upper edge of the latter, and the brace having an elongate slot designed to receive said tongue, the slot and tongue being so shaped that when inter-engaged the leg cannot move lengthwise of the brace in either direction.

10. A foldable easel back comprising a panel of stiff sheet material having an aperture in its midportion, a brace integrally joined to the panel at the lower edge of said aperture, a leg hinged at its upper end to the upper edge of the panel, the leg having a central aperture through which the brace always projects, the leg and brace having complemental parts which prevent the brace from engaging the upper edge of the aperture in the leg until the leg has been swung nearly to its operative position, said cooperating parts being so constructed and arranged as to permit the brace suddenly to snap against said upper edge as the leg reaches its operative position.

11. A foldable easel back comprising a panel of stiif sheet material having an aperture in its midportion, a brace integrally joined to the panel at the lower edge of said aperture, a leg hinged at its upper end to the upper edge of the panel, the leg having a central aperture through which the brace projects, the leg and brace having engaging parts which act to cam the brace toward its operative position as the leg is swung rearwardly, thereby placing the brace under bending stress, said parts being so constructed and arranged that as the leg reaches its operative position said parts disengage thereby permitting the brace to snap up against the upper edgeof said central aperture.

`12. A foldable easel back consisting of an integral piece of stiff sheet material and comprising a panel, a leg hinged to the upper edge of the panel, and a brace joined at its forward edge to the panel and which tends, by reason of the resiliency ofthe material, to lie in the plane of the panel, the leg having an aperture through which the rear portion of the brace projects, the legl and brace nhaving parts which engage as the leg is being swung rearwardly, thereby forcing the free end of the brace downwardly toward its operative position.

13. A foldable easel back consisting of an integral piece of stili sheet material and comprising a panel, a. leg hinged to the upper edge of the panel, and al brace joined at its forward edge to the panel and which tends, by reason of the resiliency of the material, to lie in the plane of the panel, the leg having an aperture through which the brace projects, the leg and brace having elements which engage and which by a cam-like action force the brace downwardly toward operative position as the leg is swung rearwardly.

14. A foldable easel back consisting of an integral piece of stiff sheet material and comprising a panel, a leg hinged to the upper edge of the panel, and a brace joined at its forward edge to the panel and which tends, by reason of the resiliency 0f the material, to lie in the plane of the pane1, the leg and brace having inter-engaging parts operative to hold the leg in its operative position, the resiliency. of the brace being such that when said parts are disengaged the easel tends to fold automatically by return of the brace to the plane of the panel.

15. A foldable easel back consisting of an ntegral piece of stiiT sheet material and comprising a panel, a leg hinged to the upper edge of the panel, and a-brace joined at its forward edge to GORDON E. NICHOLS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date D. 135,786 Grivin June 8, 1943 568,090 Lindemeyer Sept. 22, 1896 1,303,306 Heithaus May 13, 1919 2,232,466 McKeown Feb. 18, 1941 2,256,977 Graebener Sept. 23, 1941 2,377,487 Fox June 5, 1945 Disclaimer 2,454,521.Gordon E. Nichols, Middleboro, Mass. EASEL BACK. Patent dated Nov. 23, 1948. Disclaimer led Mar. 30, 1950, by the assignee, Winthrop- Atlc'ins Oo., Inc. Hereby enters this disclaimer to claims 1, 8, and 10 to 15, inclusive, of said patent.

[Qm'l Gazette April 25, 1950.] 

